Bala Falls project moving forward

Bala Falls project moving forward

BALA - The Bala Falls hydroelectric project has the final approval from the minister of the environment to move ahead with the project.

Seven years after Swift River Energy Limited, developer of the project, was awarded the project by the government they are finally ready to go ahead with plans.

Jim Bradley, minister of environment, wrote in a letter Jan. 23 that Swift River does not need to do another environmental assessment after changing the location of the proposed project.

“Swift River Energy Limited has demonstrated that it has planned and developed the project in accordance with the environmental screening process and addendum provisions of the Guide to Environmental Assessment Requirements for Electricity Projects,” the letter said. “I am satisfied therefore that the purpose of the act, “the betterment of the people of the whole or any part of Ontario by providing for the protection, conservation, and wise management in Ontario of the environment,” has been met for the project.”

The environmental assessment was originally done for a location 100 feet away from the Bala Falls. When the location changed community members and council requested an individual environmental assessment be done for the new location adjacent to the falls, but were turned down by the director of the ministry of environment.

They appealed the decision to the minister himself, who has now also turned down the request.